The Rugby Football Union – the world’s richest union – said it wanted to hire a coach with proven experience of global rugby, unlike Lancaster, and Jones fitted the bill. Here, Press Association Sport examines the five most pressing issues in Jones’ in-tray.
Advertisement
Jones may have slowed down a little since his stroke in 2013 but he is still a man for whom there are not enough hours in the day when it comes to rugby. If Jones is still in office when the 2019 World Cup commences, it will equal the longest time he has ever spent in the same job.
“Wales, Ireland and Scotland – unlike England, Italy and France – all have centralised contracting systems”, said the former Japan coach, int he same interview three days ago. Borthwick is now employed as Bristol’s forwards coach. Players at that tournament like Courtney Lawes, Joe Launchbury, Billy Vunipola, Ben Youngs, George Ford, Jonathan Joseph and Anthony Watson are set be stalwarts in England’s team for years to come, while there is plenty of other young talent coming through, namely the likes of Jamie George, Maro Itoje and Henry Slade, all of whom look capable of reaching the very top. Many have called for Armitage to be restored to England’s back row, most likely at the expense of Robshaw. It’s not about the coach of England, it’s a policy that’s been put in place by Premiership clubs and the RFU to protect English rugby and to make it as strong as possible.
In 2003 he guided the Wallabies to the Sydney final, where they lost to England, and four years later he played an advisory role as the Springboks were crowned world champions for a second time. But I have a job to do now to take England forward and develop a few England coaches.
The last title of note secured by England was the 2011 RBS 6 Nations crown, won under the guidance of Martin Johnson.
Whether that means the possibility of overturning the rules which restrict English players from outside of the Aviva Premiership from representing their county, Owen believes that may be one thing out of Jones’ hands.
Here are five lesser-known things about the 55-year-old Australian.
Jones was to hold a Twickenham news conference on Friday.
As I’ve written here before, I think England would have been wise to have stuck with Stuart Lancaster who would have learned from the mistakes made in this year’s RWC. The club can display an illustrious roll of honour, with Australia worldwide stars who passed through their ranks including Ken Catchpole, David Campese, George Gregan, Matt Giteau and Kurtley Beale.
Jones, who includes spells with Australia, South Africa and Japan on an extensive coaching CV, will meet with each of them next month to assess whether they have a role to play in his team.
During the Lancaster regime, there was a sense the ambition was to emulate New Zealand.
The recent work of Eddie Jones was evident for all to see on Saturday 19 September at the Brighton Community Stadium where his fearless Blossoms delivered the most surprising and well orchestrated victory that has been seen at a Rugby World Cup.
“You always have a bit of a view when you’re outside the tent”, he said.
Advertisement
Jones has coached in Africa, Australasia, Europe (with Saracens) and Asia.
